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3. It Is Living  The world & its morals are ever changing  Man’s moral needs never change  Many claim the Bible = a “dead letter”  A “living God” authored a “living word” Heb 3:12 1 Pet 1:23

4. It Is Living  The words in the Bible = the very essence of life Deut 32:46-47 Jn 6:68 10:10

5. It Is Active  Origin of our English word “energy”  God’s word constantly works His will among men…it is the “energetic force” behind His will being accomplished Isa 55:10-11 1 Thess 2:13

6. It Is Active  The Scripture doesn’t just speak to the past…it also speaks in the present and for the future Heb 4:7, 9, 11

7. It Is Sharp  Not just “sharp”…it is sharper than any 2-edged sword  Same word found in Eph 6:17  It penetrates to the uttermost  No part of human personality can escape

8. It Is Sharp  His word is piercing Rev 1:16 2:12

9. It Is A Discerner  To separate; distinguish between; sift apart  Man cannot distinguish between thoughts and intentions  The word of God can…even to the smallest of differences

10. It Is A Discerner  The inerrant word of God (unbiased…totally objective) will not be fooled by man  Man’s hypocrisy is exposed for what it is  If man has no intention of complying with what God says in His word, the Bible points that out

11. What makes the Bible this way? v. 12  Some magical, hidden “mystical” power? The Bible is what it is because of Him who authored it v. 13

12. The Powerful God v. 13  Nothing hidden from His sight  All things laid open (bare) before Him  All things accountable to Him

13. His Powerful Word v. 12  It stands to reason the Bible’s power is directly derived from God  He is living…therefore, His word is living  He is able to discern man…therefore, His word is able to discern man

14. Conclusion  Our reaction to this God & His word is the focus of our lesson  How we react to it when we study it or hear it taught reveals our true character  Some are so dull of heart, they in essence say “So what…?” Heb 3:12-13

15. Conclusion  Some are so self-righteous they angrily react to it…blame the faithful messenger Acts 7:54  Some are so full of guilt & sorrow they react with joy…ask what to do Acts 2:37

16. Conclusion  All of us need to gauge our own hearts to see how we react to this powerful word from a powerful God

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